Hot and cold water mixing device

ABSTRACT

A hot and cold water mixing device which comprises an inner housing (11) provided with a hot water inlet hole (17), a cold water inlet hole (18) and a mixed water delivery hole (19), and an outer housing (31) having openings (33, 34, 32) communicating with a hot supply passage (15), a cold water supply passage (16) and a mixed water supply passage (14). The inner housing (11) is inserted into the outer housing (31) to form a hot water passage (20), a cold water passage (35) and a mixed water passage (30) between the outer housing (31) and the inner housing (11). The hot water passage (20) and the mixed water passage (30) are formed by enclosing the hot water inlet hole (17) and the mixed water delivery hole (19) by the respective seal members (26, 29) which each are partly arranged so as to intersect with the circumferential line of the inner housing (11).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a hot and cold water mixing device formixing hot water and cold water and delivering the mixed water, and moreparticularly, to a hot and cold water mixing device having features inthe method of constituting fluid passages in the device.

BACKGROUND ART

The hot and cold water mixing device such as a hot and cold water mixingfaucet is formed therein with a hot water passage and a cold waterpassage, through which hot water and cold water flow, respectively, andat the same time, is formed with a mixing chamber therein for mixing thehot and cold water introduced and with a mixed water passage throughwhich the mixed water is delivered, in order to mix the hot and coldwater supplied from a hot water supply source and a cold water supplysource, respectively, to deliver the mixed water having a desiredtemperature.

These fluid passages have hitherto been formed by providing a body(casing) of a faucet made by casting, with partition walls therein,through integral molding (for example, refer to JPB-58(1983)-40060). Thebody casing made by casting has an advantage in that the fluid passagestherein can be formed in relatively free forms; however, there is aproblem in that the body casing becomes large in configuration and alsoheavier in weight.

A hot and cold water mixing device has, therefore, been developed inwhich the body casing is composed of a hollow metal pipe material inplace of the body casing made by casting, and a hollow inner casing isinserted into the pipe material, fluid passages being formed in the gapbetween the pipe material and the inner casing (U.S. Pat. No.4,610,393).

In the hot and cold water mixing device comprising the pipe material andthe inner casing inserted therein, the pipe material is provided withopenings which communicate with a hot water supply passage, a cold watersupply passage and a mixed water delivery passage, and further, theinner casing is also provided with water holes which communicate withthe hot water supply passage, cold water supply passage and mixed waterdelivery passage. Further, the openings of the pipe material and thewater holes of the inner casing are disposed with the respectiveopenings and water holes corresponding to the hot water supply passage,cold water supply passage and mixed water delivery passage being closeto each other, and seal members (O-rings) are circumferentially providedbetween the respective openings and the water holes, so that the hotwater passage, mixed water passage and cold water passage are formed ina divided manner.

In the inner casing of this hot and cold water mixing device isincorporated a closing valve for adjusting the delivered amount of themixed water and a mixing valve having an automatictemperature-regulating function for automatically regulating the mixingratio of hot and cold water in the relation corresponding to a settemperature.

Accordingly, the hot water, which has flowed into the inner casingthrough the opening and the water hole communicating with the hot watersupply passage, and the cold water, which has flowed into the innercasing through the opening and the water hole communicating with thecold water supply passage, are passed through the mixing valve and mixedthere in a suitable ratio, and then the mixture is delivered from themixed water delivery passage by the operation of the closing valve.

The hot and cold water mixing device using the pipe material and innercasing has an advantage in that the dimension of the external formthereof is made smaller and reduced in weight, as compared with thatusing the body casing made by casting.

However, since a plurality of O-rings are mounted on the outerperipheral surface of the inner casing to form the hot water passage,mixed water passage and cold water passage in a divided manner from oneend to the other end of the inner casing, the hot and cold water mixingdevice comes to be parted into three distributions of temperature--ahigh temperature part, a moderate temperature part and a low temperaturepart.

This results in losing the thermal balance of the entire hot and coldwater mixing device, thereby causing the deformation of the parts due tothe difference in thermal expansion, the deterioration of the hightemperature parts, and a decrease in precision. Further, since the hotwater at a high temperature flows over the entire circumference at oneend of the body of the mixing faucet, a portion of the surface of thepipe material at the side of an operator comes to be a high temperature.This is very dangerous particularly in the case where the device is usedin a bathroom.

Accordingly, a proposal is made to solve the problem of the thermalbalance of the entire hot and cold water mixing device as mentionedabove while maintaining the advantage of the pipe material being used asthe body casing (U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,073).

According to such a proposal, the hot water supplied from the hot watersupply passage into the pipe material flows directly into the innercasing without flowing in the circumferential direction of the pipematerial and, simultaneously, the cold water supplied from the coldwater supply passage once flows into the inside of the inner casing and,thereafter, flows out again into the gap between the pipe material andthe inner casing to cover the inner casing with the cold water in agreater part of the outer circumference, thereby preventing the outersurface of the pipe material from being locally heated to bring about adanger and preventing a significant thermal imbalance from being causedover the entire hot and cold water mixing device.

The hot and cold water mixing device described in the above-mentionedU.S. Pat. No. 4,381,073 solves the problem of thermal balance utilizingan advantage of the pipe material being used for the body casing;however, there is a problem in that the construction of the inner casingbecomes extremely complicated and, simultaneously, an adjustment in theoffsets between the openings of the pipe material and the water hole ofthe inner casing is difficult; so, the strict accuracy of finishing andassembly of the component parts is required.

Namely, since, in the hot and cold water mixing device described in FIG.1 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,073, the hot and cold water passages are formedby a plurality of O-rings mounted on the outer circumference of theinner casing, and the mixed water passage is formed by two O-ringsmounted on the inner circumference of the inner casing, the watersupplied from a water supply source flows through the complicated flowpassage so that it enters into the inner casing at one time and,thereafter, flows through the insides of the O-rings in the axialdirection, and flows out again into the gap between the pipe materialand the inner casing outwardly in the radial direction.

This increases the number of the parts constituting the water passagesand also makes the construction of the assembly of these parts extremelycomplicated. Moreover, it is necessary to further dispose one morehollow casing within the inner casing to constitute the mixing waterpassage. In addition, the hot water flows over the entire circumferenceof the pipe material although it flows partially and, therefore, theproblem of the danger of a scald has not yet been solved.

In the hot and cold water mixing device described in FIG. 2 of theabove-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,073, since the hot water passage isnot formed over the entire circumference of the pipe material, theproblem of the danger of a scald is solved. However, the water passagesare complicated, like those described above, and the number of partswhich constitute the mixing device is large.

For this reason, there is a problem in that the strict accuracy offinishing and assembly of each component is required and, therefore, thefinishing and assembly of the hot and cold water mixing device aredifficult. Further, there is a problem in that forming large water holesis necessary to adjust the offsets between the openings of the pipematerial and the water holes of the inner casing, thereby decreasing thestrength of the inner casing. Moreover, there is another problem in thatbecause of the complicated fluid passages, the positions where the hosesfor faucet and shower connected to the mixed water passage are providedare limited and, accordingly, changes in their positions according tothe use are difficult. In addition, since the fluid passages are formedby a combination of a number of circumferential seals (O-rings), thereis a problem in that operations of incorporating seals are troublesomeand difficult and, simultaneously, when a phenomenon of water hammeroccurs, leakage from the seals is apt to arise.

The present invention has been made taking such points intoconsideration, and aims at providing a hot and cold water mixing devicewhich is better in the entire thermal balance, simple in construction,and easy to finish and assemble.

Further, the present invention aims at providing a hot and cold watermixing device which allows the positions of arrangement of the hoses forfaucet and shower to be adjusted in a relatively easy manner accordingto the use and situation.

Moreover, the present invention aims at providing a hot and cold watermixing device which is easy in the adjustment of the offsets of theopenings provided on both the inner housing and the outer housing.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present inventioncomprises an outer housing having openings which communicate with a hotwater supply passage, a cold water supply passage and a mixed waterdelivery passage; a hollow inner housing which is inserted into theouter housing with a vacant space remaining therebetween and on whichtwo primary water holes communicating with the hot water supply passageand the cold water supply passage, respectively, and a secondary waterhole communicating with the mixed water delivery passage are formedpassing through the wall of the hollow inner housing from the outersurface thereof; and insulating members for forming fluid passageswithin the vacant space between the outer housing and inner housing,which enclose at least one water hole communicating with the hot watersupply passage among the two primary water holes, and the secondarywater hole, respectively, and which each are partly arranged in thedirection intersecting with the circumferential line of the innerhousing.

Further, in a preferred form of the present invention, the water holeseach are enclosed by the insulating member which is non-circular inform.

Moreover, in a preferred form of the present invention, the insulatingmembers are of forms different in the dimensions at the right and leftdirection and in the up and down direction intersecting perpendicularlyto each other.

In addition, in a preferred form of the present invention, theinsulating members each include at least partly a rectilinear portion.

In a further preferred form of the invention, the rectilinear portionextends substantially parallel to the axial direction of the innerhousing.

In a further preferred form of the invention, the water hole is formedin a non-circular shape passing through the wall.

Further, in a preferred form of the invention, the water holes each areof the form different in the dimensions of opening at the right and leftdirection and in the up and down direction intersecting perpendicularlyto each other.

Moreover, in a preferred form of the invention, the water holes eachinclude at least partly a rectilinear portion.

In a further preferred form of the invention, the insulating membersconsist of seal members having elasticity.

In a further preferred form of the invention, the respective insulatingmembers are arranged so that one of the insulating members is disposedat a position displaced from a position, where it is facing with theother insulating member, in a section intersecting perpendicularly tothe axis of the inner housing.

In a further preferred form of the invention, the insulating members aremounted on the outer surface of the inner housing.

Further, in a preferred form of the invention, means for controlling thefluid which flows into and out of the inner housing through therespective water holes thereof is provided within the inner housing.

Moreover, in a preferred form of the invention, the controlling means isof a cartridge-type construction.

In a further preferred form of the invention, the outer housing isprovided with an insertion opening for inserting and disposing the innerhousing from the outside.

Further, in a preferred form of the invention, the insertion opening ofthe outer housing is used also as a communicating hole for an operatingpart for operating a fluid controlling means.

Moreover, in a preferred form of the invention, the outer housing ismade of a pipe material.

In a further preferred form of the invention, the outer housing consistsof a tubular member formed by forging.

In a further preferred form of the invention, the inner housing isprovided, as water holes, with a hot water inlet hole, a cold waterinlet hole and a mixed water delivery hole.

Further, in a preferred form of the invention, the insulating memberseach comprise a hot water insulating member arranged so as to enclosethe hot water inlet hole so that it forms a hot water passage, and amixed water insulating member arranged so as to enclose the mixed waterdelivery hole so that it forms a mixed water passage.

Moreover, in a preferred form of the invention, the insulating memberseach comprise a hot water insulating member arranged so as to enclosethe hot water inlet hole so that it forms a hot water passage, a coldwater insulating member arranged so as to enclose the cold water inlethole so that it forms a cold water passage, and a mixed water insulatingmember arranged so as to enclose the mixed water delivery hole so thatit forms a mixed water passage.

In a further preferred form of the invention, the mixed water deliveryhole comprises first and second mixed water delivery holes which areprovided independently from each other.

In a further preferred form of the invention, the hot water inlet holeand first and second mixed water delivery holes each are enclosed by theinsulating member.

Further, in a preferred form of the invention, the respective insulatingmembers enclosing the first and second mixed water delivery holes arearranged so that one of the insulating members encloses the otherinsulating member.

Moreover, in a preferred form of the invention, the second mixed waterpassage is connected to a shower hose through a shower elbow insertedinto the outer housing so as to pass through the wall thereof, theforward end of the shower elbow being removably mounted on the secondmixed water passage.

In a further preferred form of the invention, the shower elbow isprovided at the forward end thereof with a radially extendingprojection, and the second mixed water passage is provided at thecircumferential edge thereof with a circumferential flange with whichthe projection of the shower elbow comes into a slidable engagement andwhich is formed with a cut-out portion which allows the projection topass through in the axial direction.

In a further preferred form of the invention, the shower elbow isprovided at the forward end thereof with a radially extendingprojection, and the second mixed water passage is provided with abushing having a circumferential flange with which the projection of theshower elbow comes into a slidable engagement and which is formed with acut-out portion which allows the projection to pass through in the axialdirection.

Further, in a preferred form of the invention, the second mixed waterpassage is provided between the hot water inlet hole and the cold waterinlet hole.

Moreover, in a preferred form of the invention, the inner housing isprovided with the hot water inlet hole, cold water inlet hole, hot waterdelivery hole and cold water delivery hole.

In a further preferred form of the invention, the insulating memberscomprise a hot water insulating member arranged so as to enclose the hotwater inlet hole so that it forms a hot water passage, and a mixed waterinsulating member arranged so as to enclose the hot and cold waterdelivery holes together so that it forms a mixed water passage.

In a further preferred form of the invention, the insulating memberscomprise a hot water insulating member arranged so as to enclose the hotwater inlet hole so that it forms a hot water passage, a cold waterinsulating member arranged so as to enclose the cold water inlet hole sothat it forms a cold water passage, and a mixed water insulating memberarranged so as to enclose the hot water delivery hole and the cold waterdelivery hole together so that it forms a mixed water passage.

Further, in a preferred form of the invention, the mixed waterinsulating member is formed at least integrally with the hot waterinsulating member.

Moreover, in a preferred form of the invention, sealing members forsealing the vacant space between the inner housing and the outer housingare mounted on both ends of the inner housing.

In a preferred form of the invention, the sealing members are formedintegrally with at least one of the hot water insulating member and themixed water insulating member.

Further, in a preferred form of the invention, the sealing members areintegrally formed with the outer surface of the inner housing.

Moreover, in a preferred form of the invention, the mixed waterinsulating member is arranged within a range smaller than half the outercircumference of the inner housing.

In a further preferred form of the invention, the inner housing isformed of a synthetic resin material.

In a further preferred form of the invention, the inner housing isintegrally formed, on the outer surface thereof, with holding partshaving concave grooves for mounting the insulating members.

Further, in a preferred form of the invention, the holding parts formounting the insulating members are provided so as to protrude from theouter surface of the inner housing, and one or more ribs each having aninclined portion are connected to the lateral surfaces of the holdingparts parallel to the axial direction.

Moreover, in a preferred form of the invention, the inner housing isformed therein with a control means-accommodating part.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the presentinvention is characterized in that it comprises the steps of forming ahollow inner housing with two primary water holes communicating with ahot water supply passage and a cold water supply passage, respectively,and a secondary water hole communicating with a mixed water deliverypassage by passing through the wall from the outer surface side;enclosing the water hole communicating at least with the hot watersupply passage among said two primary water holes and the secondarywater hole, using insulating members which each are partly arranged inthe direction of intersection with the circumferential line of the innerhousing; and inserting said inner housing into the hollow outer housinghaving the openings communicating with the hot water supply passage,cold water supply passage and mixed water delivery passage,respectively, thereby forming fluid passages within the vacant spacebetween the inner housing and the outer housing.

In addition, in a preferred form of the invention, the water holes areenclosed in the forms of non-circles by the insulating members to formfluid passages.

Moreover, in a preferred form of the invention, the water holes areenclosed by the insulating members having rectilinear portions extendingsubstantially parallel to the axis of the inner housing to thereby formfluid passages.

According to the present invention, the primary water hole communicatingat least with the hot water supply passage among the two primary waterholes formed on the inner housing so as to pass through the wall thereofand the secondary water hole, are enclosed by means of insulatingmembers which each are partly arranged in the direction intersectingwith the circumferential line of the inner housing, and the innerhousing is inserted into the outer housing to thereby form fluidpassages within the vacant space between the inner housing and the outerhousing. Accordingly, with the present invention, hot water suppliedfrom the hot water supply passage is transferred within the innerhousing in a situation of being insulated by the insulating members soas to flow only within a predetermined range. In addition, since theinsulating members each are partly arranged in the direction ofintersection with the circumferential line of the inner housing, watersupplied from the cold water supply passage can be directed along theouter edges of the insulating members in the direction of intersectionwith the circumferential line of the inner housing. Alternatively, inthe case where the primary water hole of the inner housing communicatingwith the cold water supply passage also is enclosed by the insulatingmember, air or a heat insulating member exists within the vacant spacebetween the inner housing and the outer housing; however, this vacantspace is also formed along the outer edge of the insulating member inthe direction of intersection with the circumferential line of the innerhousing.

This allows a heat insulating material such as water or air to betransferred in the direction of intersection with the circumferentialline of the inner housing along the insulating member without formingany particular passage within the inner housing to make a detour passingradially inward of the insulating member.

Therefore, the present invention allows hot water to be insulated withina predetermined, for example, narrow region to thereby prevent thetemperature of the outer housing from rising too high, and allows a heatinsulating material such as water or air to be arranged over a widerange so as to enclose the outer periphery of the inner housing and,simultaneously, such a construction can be simply obtained withoutforming any particular passage within the inner housing.

Moreover, since in the present invention the secondary water holecommunicating with the mixed water delivery passage is enclosed by theinsulating member, a part of which is arranged in the direction ofintersection with the circumferential line of the inner housing, theregion enclosing the secondary water hole, can be largely formed in theaxial direction of the inner housing. Accordingly, the positions ofarrangement of a faucet, a shower hose and the like connected to theenclosed region can be selected with a degree of freedom greater in theaxial direction.

Further, since in the present invention the regions enclosed by theinsulating members can be largely formed in the axial direction of theinner housing, adjustment in the offsets of the openings provided onboth the inner housing and the outer housing can be performed in arelatively easy manner.

In addition, an optimum hot and cold water mixing device can be simplyconstituted according to an application of use and a situation of use bychanging the places and forms of arrangement of the insulating members,the number and form of the water holes and the like.

Further, since in the present invention the insulating members enclosingthe first and second mixed water delivery holes, respectively, arearranged so that one of the insulating members encloses the otherinsulating member, the distance of arrangement of the first and secondmixed water delivery holes can be shortened, thereby allowing the hotand cold water mixing device to be made compact in size.

Moreover, since in the present invention the forward end of the showerelbow is removably mounted on the second mixed water passage, connectionof the shower hose can be easily performed and prevention of the innerhousing from coming off can be simply performed.

In addition, since in the present invention one or more ribs having aninclined portion are connected to the side surface of the holding partfor mounting the insulating member, parallel to the axial direction, theinner housing with the elastic insulating members mounted thereon can besmoothly inserted and incorporated into the outer housing.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a modification of thefirst embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a second embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing a third embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing the third embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a fourth embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII--VII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view showing an inner housing according to the fourthembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a development showing the inner housing in FIG. 8 bydeveloping it in a plane;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line X--X in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing a fifth embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 12 is an external perspective view showing a modification of thefifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is an external perspective view showing a sixth embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 14 is an external perspective view showing a seventh embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view showing an inner housing according to an eighthembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the inner housing shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the inner housing as viewed in the directionof arrow mark XVII in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a development showing an inner housing in FIG. 15 with sealmembers mounted thereon, by developing it in a plain;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a hot and cold water mixing deviceaccording to the eighth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a front view showing a shower elbow;

FIG. 21 is a front view showing a bush for mounting the shower elbow;

FIGS. 22 to 31 are views showing a method for assembling the hot andcold water mixing device according to the invention, FIG. 22 being anexploded view for explanation;

FIG. 23 is an external view of the inner housing with the seal membermounted thereon;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view showing the situation of the inner housingbeing disposed in a fastening jig;

FIG. 25 is a side view showing the situation of the inner housing beingdisposed in the fastening jig;

FIG. 26 is a sectional view showing the situation of the inner housingbeing fastened with the fastening jig;

FIG. 27 is a side view showing the situation of the inner housing beingfastened with the fastening jig;

FIG. 28 is an explanative view showing the situation of the innerhousing being immersed in a liquid nitrogen together with the fasteningjig;

FIG. 29 is an explanative view showing the situation of the frozen innerhousing being taken out from the fastening jig;

FIG. 30 is an explanative view showing the situation of the innerhousing with the seal members frozen thereon being inserted into theouter housing;

FIG. 31 is an explanative view showing the situation of the seal memberbeing thawed thereafter;

FIG. 32 is a sectional view showing an example of another method forassembling the hot and cold water mixing device according to theinvention;

FIG. 33 is a side view of the example shown in FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is an explanative view showing the situation of projectionsproduced on the seal member;

FIG. 35 is a sectional view showing an example of other method forassembling the hot and cold water mixing device according to theinvention;

FIG. 36 is a sectional view showing the situation of the jig bodiesshown in FIG. 35 being fastened with fasteners;

FIG. 37 is a sectional view showing an example of other method forassembling the hot and cold water mixing device according to theinvention;

FIG. 38 is a sectional view showing an example of further method forassembling the hot and cold water mixing device according to theinvention;

FIGS. 39 to 41 are explanative views showing another method forassembling the hot and cold water mixing device according to theinvention, FIG. 39 being an external appearance view showing thesituation before assembly;

FIG. 40 is an external appearance view showing the situation of the sealmember of the inner housing being compressed;

FIG. 41 is a sectional view showing a method for freezing the sealmembers remaining compressed;

FIGS. 42 to 46 are views showing a method different from theabove-mentioned method for assembling the hot and cold water mixingdevice according to the invention, FIG. 42 being an exploded perspectiveview for explanation;

FIG. 43 is an external perspective view showing the situation of theinner housing being incorporated into the outer housing;

FIG. 44 is an enlarged sectional view of the portion A in FIG. 43showing the situation of a liquid seal material being injected into theouter housing;

FIG. 45 is an explanative view showing the situation of a liquid sealmaterial being injected into the concave groove of the inner housing;and

FIG. 46 is a sectional view, partly in enlarged scale, of the situationof liquid seal material having been injected into the concave groove ofthe inner housing.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference tothe drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a hot and cold watermixing device 10 according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention, and reference character 11 indicates an inner housing of awater faucet housing. The inner housing 11 is hollow, preferably hollowcylindrical in form, and is provided therein with a means forcontrolling the flow of fluid, for example, an opening and closingvalve. In the present embodiment, a opening and closing valve for coldwater (not shown) is inserted into the inner housing 11 from the leftend thereof and arranged therein, and a closing and opening valve forhot water (not shown) is inserted into the inner housing 11 from theright end thereof and arranged therein, referring to FIG. 1, and theopening and closing valves are adapted to be controlled so as to beopened or closed by means of a cold water handle 12 and a hot waterhandle 13 fitted to the outside of the inner housing 11.

A hot water inlet hole 17 communicating with a hot water supply passage15, a cold water inlet hole 18 communicating with a cold water supplypassage 16 and a mixed water delivery hole 19 communicating with themixed water delivery passage 14 are formed on the inner housing 11 so asto pass through the wall thereof from the outside. The hot water inlethole 17 and cold water inlet hole 18 are formed, for example, on theback face of the inner housing corresponding to the positions of the hotwater supply passage 15 and the cold water supply passage 16, and themixed water delivery hole 19 is formed on the lower side of the sidefacing a user using the hot and cold water mixing device, for example,on the lower face of the inner housing 11. Further, the hot water inlethole 17 and the cold water inlet hole 18 are in the form of anon-circle, for example, a square enclosed by the rectilinear portionsextending in the direction of axis and in the direction of intersectionat a right angle thereto, and the mixed water delivery hole 19 issubstantially cylindrical in form. Besides, the forms of the water holesconsisting of these inlet holes and the delivery hole can be changed asoccasion demands, i.e., any one of the hot water inlet hole 17 and thecold water inlet hole 18 may be in the form of a circle or a non-circleother than a square, and further, the mixed water delivery hole 19 maybe in the form of a non-circle, for example, a square.

On the outer periphery of the hot water inlet hole 17 is formed aseal-holding part 21 projecting radially so as to enclose the hot waterinlet hole 17. Moreover, also at both ends of the inner housing 11 areformed seal-holding parts 22 and 23 circumferentially. These sealholding parts 21, 22 and 23 are each in the form of, for example, acircular arc-like section (a circle-like section in the case of theseal-holding parts 22 and 23) corresponding to the form of the innerwall surface of the outer housing 31 so as to extend along the innerwall surface of the outer housing 31 with a minute clearancetherebetween as the inner housing 11 is inserted into the outer housing31, as will be described later.

On the outer periphery of the mixed water delivery hole 19 is formed asubstantially circular seal holding part 24 projecting so as to enclosethe mixed water delivery hole 19. This seal-holding part 24 is also inthe form of, for example, a circular arc in the section intersecting ata right angle to the axis, corresponding to the form of the inner wallsurface of the outer housing 31.

In the seal-holding part 21 enclosing the hot water inlet hole 17 isformed a concave groove 25 which is continuous so as to enclose the hotwater inlet hole 17, and a member having elasticity, for example, a sealmember 26 made of rubber or synthetic resin is inserted in the concavegroove 25 so as to form a closed loop.

In the present embodiment, the seal member 26 is in the form of anon-circle, for example, so as to partially have rectilinear portionsextending parallel to the axial direction. Further, the dimension of theradially outer ends of the seal member 26 is formed slightly larger thanthe dimension of the inner wall surface of the outer housing 31; so,when the inner housing 11 is inserted into the outer housing 31, theseal member 26 is elastically deformed to come into an abuttingengagement with the inner wall surface of the outer housing 31, therebyallowing the hot water inlet hole 17 to be securely sealed at the outerperipheral edge of the seal-holding part 21.

Moreover, in the seal holding parts 22 and 23 at both ends of the innerhousing 23 are formed concave grooves 22a and 23a circumferentially, inwhich seal members 27 and 28 (for example, the O-rings made of rubber)having elasticity are inserted.

Further, on the end surface of the seal holding part 24 enclosing themixed water delivery hole 19 is formed a substantially circular concavegroove 24a so as to enclose the mixed water delivery hole 19, and a sealmember 29 having elasticity is inserted into the concave groove 24a withthe condition similar to the above-mentioned seal member 26.

The inner housing 11 with the seal members 26, 27, 28 and 29 beingmounted on the outer surface thereof is inserted into and fixed to thehollow, for example, hollow cylindrical outer housing 31.

The outer housing 31 is provided with a hot water inlet opening 33, acold water inlet opening 34 and a mixed water outlet opening 32,corresponding to the hot water supply passage 15 connected to a hotwater supply source (not shown), the cold water supply passage 16connected to a cold water supply source (not shown) and the mixed waterdelivery passage 14 connected to a faucet (not shown), respectively.

A hollow cylindrical tubular member made of metal can be used as thisouter housing 31. For this tubular member, for example, a tubular memberformed by forging, a tubular member formed by casting or the like may beused in addition to the one made of a pipe material. Use of the pipematerial and the tubular member formed by forging results in remarkablylittle surface roughness on the inner wall surface of the housing, ascompared with the conventional housing made by casting and, therefore,the operation of finishing the surface of the portions, with which theseal members come into an abutting engagement, becomes easy.

The inner housing 11 with the seal members 26, 27, 28 and 29 mountedthereon is inserted into the outer housing 31 and fixed at apredetermined position, so that predetermined fluid passages are formedin the vacant space between the outer housing 31 and the inner housing11.

Namely, in the space enclosed by the seal member 26 is formed a hotwater passage 20, which communicates with the hot water inlet opening 33of the outer housing 31 and the hot water inlet hole 17 of the innerhousing 11.

Further, in the space enclosed by the seal member 29 is formed a mixedwater passage 30, which communicates with the mixed water outlet opening32 of the outer housing 31 and the mixed water delivery hole 19 of theinner housing 11.

Moreover, in the space, which is sandwiched by the seal members 27 and28 and which is outside the regions enclosed by the seal members 26 and29, is formed a cold water passage 35, which communicates with the coldwater inlet opening 34 of the outer housing 31 and the cold water inlethole 18 of the inner housing 11.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cold water passage 35 in the present embodimentis formed in the wide space portion extending over in both the axialdirection and the circumferential direction except for the hot waterpassage 20 and mixed water passage 30 which are limited to therelatively narrow regions. Accordingly, the cold water which has flowedtherein from the cold water inlet opening 34 fills over the wide portionin the space formed between the outer casing S1 and the inner housing11. This prevents the outer surface of the hot and cold water mixingdevice 10 from becoming a too high temperature and allows the thermalbalance of the entire mixing device 10 to be kept better.

According to the present embodiment, the hot water supplied from the hotwater supply passage 15 flows by way of the hot water inlet opening 33,hot water passage 20 and hot water inlet hole 17 into the inner housing11, and operating the hot water handle 13 to open the opening andclosing valve for hot water allows the hot water to flow into the mixingchamber (not shown) formed within the inner housing 11. Meanwhile, thewater supplied from the cold water supply passage 16 flows by way of thecold water inlet opening 34, cold water passage 35 and cold water inlethole 18 into the inner housing 11, and operating the cold water handle12 to open the opening and closing valve for cold water allows the coldwater to flow into the mixing chamber.

The mixture of hot and cold water mixed in the mixing chamber flows byway of the mixed water delivery hole 19, mixed water passage 30 andmixed water outlet opening 32 out of the mixed water delivery passage14. The temperature of the mixed water can be regulated by operating thehot water handle 13 and the cold water handle 12 to adjust a ratio ofthe hot and cold water being mixed.

Since, according to the present embodiment, the hot water passage 20 andthe mixed water passage 30 are formed by the seal members 26 and 29arranged in the direction of intersection with the circumferentialdirection of the inner housing 11, the cold water passage 35, whichreaches axially from one end to the other end in the space between theouter housing 31 and the inner housing 11 and which extends over thewide region circumferentially, can be simply and easily formed withoutforming any particular passage within the inner housing 11.

Further, since the hot water passage is formed by the seal member 26having the portions extending rectilinearly in the axial direction, theaxial dimension of the hot water passage 20 can be enlarged withoutmaking the radial dimension large. This facilitates axial alignment ofthe hot water inlet hole 33 of the outer housing 31 with the hot waterpassage 20, and facilitates the finishing and assembly operations of theouter housing 31 and the inner housing 11. Moreover, not making theradial dimension large allows the hot water passage 20 to be limited tothe back side (normally the wall side for fitting) of the mixing device10, thereby providing an advantageous effect of preventing the scaldingof an operator.

If the inner housing 11 is formed using synthetic resin having a heatresistant property, for example, Engineering Plastics such as PPS or thelike, it can be light in weight and the cost for production can begreatly reduced, compared with the conventional housing made of casting.Further, the positions and forms of the seal-holding parts 21, 22, 23and 24 can be designed in a relatively free manner in a single memberwithout dividing the component part into two or more parts, andmachining the grooves for inserting the seal members is also easilyperformed.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a modification of theembodiment shown in FIG. 1. In this modification, a seal member 260 forforming the hot water passage 20 and a seal member 280 for sealing theend are integrally formed in a continuous manner with each other. Aseal-holding part 240 forming the mixed water passage 30 is in the formof a rectangle which is long in the axial direction, and a substantiallyrectangular concave groove 240a is formed on the seal holding part 240and has a seal member 290 inserted therein. Also, a mixed water deliveryhole 190 is in the form of a rectangle which is long in the axialdirection.

Since, in this modification, the seal members 260 and 280 are integrallyformed, forming the seal member 260 is easy. Moreover, since the mixedwater passage 30 is of a long dimension in the axial direction, theconnecting position of faucet can be selected more freely in the axialdirection.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a hot and cold watermixing device 40 according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention. This second embodiment is a modification of the hot and coldwater mixing device 10 according to the above-mentioned firstembodiment, and the same reference characters indicate the samecomponents and the explanation thereof is omitted.

This embodiment is characterized by the fact that the mixed waterdelivery holes provided in the inner housing 41 comprise first andsecond mixed water delivery holes provided independently from eachother, and the mixed water outlet openings provided in the outer housing51 consist of first and second mixed water outlet openings providedindependently from each other.

Namely, the first mixed water delivery hole 19 and the first mixed wateroutlet opening 32 are formed so that they communicate with a mixed waterdelivery passage 42 for faucet connected to a faucet, in a similar wayto the above-mentioned first embodiment. Further, the second mixed waterdelivery hole 43 and the second mixed water outlet opening 45 are formedso that they communicate with a mixed water delivery passage 46 forshower connected to a mixed water delivery equipment different from afaucet, for example, a shower.

The outer periphery of the first mixed water delivery hole 19 isenclosed by the seal-holding part 24, in which the seal member 29 isinserted, in a similar way to the above-mentioned one.

Further, the outer periphery of the second mixed water delivery hole 43is enclosed by a seal holding part 47 which is formed so as to protrudefrom the outer surface of the inner housing 41 outwardly in the radialdirection, and a seal member 48 is inserted into the seal holding part47 so that it continuously encloses the second mixed water delivery hole

In the present embodiment, the cold water inlet hole 18 is provided at aposition adjacent the hot water inlet hole 17.

In the present embodiment, the mixed water delivery opening is changedto faucet or shower and, simultaneously, an opening and closingchanging-over valve (not shown) for performing adjustment in thedelivery quantity is arranged at the position corresponding to the firstand second mixed water delivery holes 19 and 43 within the inner housing41. An opening and closing changing-over handle 52 for operating theopening and closing changing-over valve is fitted to the lateral end(the left lateral end in FIG. 3) in the direction of the mixed waterdelivery passages 42 and 46 of the mixing device 40.

Further, at the position corresponding to the hot water inlet hole 17and cold water inlet hole 18 within the inner housing 41 is arranged ahot and cold water mixing valve (not shown) for mixing hot and coldwater at a predetermined ratio, and a temperature regulating handle 53for operating the hot and cold water mixing valve is fitted to the otherlateral end (the right lateral end in FIG. 3) of the mixing device 40.

According to the present embodiment, the temperature regulating handle53 can be operated to determine a mixing ratio of hot and cold watercorresponding to a desired temperature of the mixed water, and theopening and closing changing-over valve handle 52 is operated to deliverthe mixed water at a desired temperature from either the faucet orshower.

According to the present embodiment, the mixed water passage fordelivering the mixed water to either the faucet or shower can be simplyformed in addition to the abovementioned function and effects of thefirst embodiment. Moreover, if the mixing valve is constituted using avalve having a function of automatic temperature regulation, the mixedwater at a predetermined temperature can always be provided.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing a hot and cold watermixing device 60 according to a third embodiment of the invention. Thisthird embodiment is a modification of the above-mentioned secondembodiment, and the same component parts are indicated by the samereference characters and the explanation thereof is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the outer peripheries of a first mixed waterdelivery hole 62 for faucet and a second mixed water delivery hole 63for shower provided on the inner housing 55 are enclosed by aseal-holding part 56 in the form of a substantially elongatedsubstantially rectangle extending in the axial direction and acircumferential seal-holding part 57 traversing between the first andsecond mixed water delivery holes 62 and 63.

In these seal-holding parts 56 and 57 are inserted seal members 58 and59 similarly to the afore-mentioned ones, and in the spaces enclosed bythese seal members 58 and 59 are formed first and second mixed waterpassages 64 and 65, respectively.

Further, these seal members 58 and 59 are disposed in a range smallerthan half the outer circumference of the inner housing 55.

Moreover, the first and second mixed water delivery holes 62 and 63 eachare of a non-circular form, for example, a substantially rectangularform.

According to the present embodiment, the first and second mixed waterpassages 64 and 65 can be formed having long dimensions in the axialdirection in addition to the afore-mentioned function and effects of thesecond embodiment. This allows the connecting positions of the mixedwater delivery passage 42 for faucet and the mixed water deliverypassage 46 for shower to be determined in a relatively free manner inthe axial direction of the mixing device 60 according to the use ofapplication, the request of design, the environment of use and the like.

In addition, axial alignment with the mixed water outlet openingprovided on the outer housing 51 is simple, and machining and assemblingoperations of the inner housing 55 and the outer housing 51 are easilyperformed.

Further, the first and second delivery holes 62 and 63 are each of asubstantially rectangular form which is not a circle and; so, if theopenings (not shown) of the opening and closing changing-over valvecorresponding to the first and second delivery holes each aresubstantially in the form of a rectangle which is not a circle, theoptimum areas of the openings proportional to flow rates can be moreefficiently obtained, as compared with a circular opening.

Moreover, the seal members 58 and 59 are disposed within a range smallerthan half the outer circumference of the inner housing 55; so, in thecase where a water pressure at the primary side (water pressure from thewater supply passage 16) is large or a phenomenon of water hammeroccurs, the entire inner housing 55 is displaced toward the seal members58 and 59, and acts so that the seal members 58 and 59 press against theinner wall of the outer housing 51. Thus, the sealing property due tothe seal members 58 and 59 is further strengthened and there is noleakage of water under a high pressure from the mixed water deliverypassage.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing a modification of theembodiment shown in FIG. 4. In this modification, a seal member 260 forforming the hot water passage 20, seal members 580 and 59 for formingthe first and second mixed water passages 64 and 65, and seal members270 and 280 for sealing the ends communicate with each other and areintegrally formed. Thus, the seal member can be formed at apredetermined position and in a predetermined form, for example, byfirst flowing the material in a melted condition from one spot and,subsequently, solidifying it, thereby allowing the seal members to bemore easily mounted on the inner housing.

FIGS. 6 to 10 are views showing a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, the hot and cold water mixing device 60shown in the third embodiment is further modified and a more concreteconstruction is shown.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are longitudinal sectional views showing a hot and coldwater mixing device 70 according to the present embodiment. The hot andcold water mixing device 70 comprises, as a main constitution, an hollowcylindrical outer housing 71, a hollow inner housing 80 housed anddisposed in the outer housing 71, a valve 91 for changing over to faucetor shower which is inserted into the inner housing 80 from one endthereof, and a single lever valve unit 92 inserted into the innerhousing 80 from the other end thereof.

The outer housing 71 is formed by a metal tubular member, for example,such as a metal pipe, and is provided on its outer surface with a coldwater inlet opening 73 communicating with a cold water supply passage72, a hot water inlet opening 75 communicating with a hot water supplypassage 74, a first mixed water outlet opening 77 communicating with afaucet 76, and a second mixed water outlet opening 79 communicating witha shower hose 78. The cold water inlet opening 73 and the hot waterinlet opening 75 are normally provided on the side directed to thefitting wall of the mixing device 70, and the first and second mixedwater outlet openings 77 and 79 are provided at the position displacedby approximately 90 degrees relative to the above-mentioned openings 73and 75 (position directed downward when fitted).

Further, the cold water inlet opening 73 and the hot water inlet opening75 are normally formed at both the left and right ends of the outerhousing 71 at a predetermined distance in view of the construction offitting and holding the mixing device 70 on the wall, the first mixedwater outlet opening 77 communicating with the faucet 76 is formedsubstantially in the middle of the outer housing 71 in view of an easilyhandling property of the faucet 76, and the second mixed water outletopening 79 communicating with the shower hose 78 is formed on the sideof the valve 91 for changing over to a faucet or a shower.

The outer housing 71 is further provided at least at its one end with aninsert opening 71a for inserting the inner housing 80 into the outerhousing from the outside. Moreover, the outer housing 71 is alsoprovided at its other end with an opening 71b, through which a leverhandle 111 for operating the single lever valve unit 92 described laterprojects outward.

Moreover, a changing-over valve operating handle 110 for operating thevalve 91 for changing over to a faucet or a shower is connected to thevalve 91 passing through the insert opening 71a. Thus, the insertopenings 71a and 71b provided in the outer housing 71 are used also asthe communicating holes of the handles 110 and 111 for operating thecontrol means within the inner housing 80, so that the construction ofthe outer housing 71 can be further simplified without the necessity ofseparately providing a communicating hole for the operating handle onthe outer housing 71.

FIGS. 8 to 10 are views showing the inner housing 80 in more detail,FIG. 8 being a front view, FIG. 9 being a view shown by developing theinner housing 80 shown in FIG. 8 into a plane, and FIG. 10 being asectional view taken along line X--X in FIG.8.

The inner housing 80 is substantially cylindrical, and is provided onthe outer surface thereof with a region in which fluid passages areformed between the outer housing 71 and the inner housing 80. It isformed therein with spaces 81 and 82 (refer to FIGS. 6 and 7), in whichthe faucet-shower changing-over valve 91 and the single lever valve unit92 are inserted, and the spaces 81 and 82 communicate with each otherthrough a communicating passage 112 (refer to FIG. 7) provided withinthe inner housing 80. These faucet-shower changing-over valve 91 andsingle lever valve unit 92 are of cartridge construction, so thatinserting the valves into the inner housing 80 can be easily performed.

On the outer surface of the inner housing 80 are provided a hot waterinlet hole 83, a cold water inlet hole 84, a mixed water delivery hole85 for faucet, which are each substantially in the form of a rectanglelong in the circumferential direction, and a circular mixed waterdelivery hole 86 for shower. The outer periphery of the hot water inlethole 83 is enclosed by a seal holding part 93, as shown in FIG. 9, inwhich a concave groove 94 for inserting a seal member is formed, saidconcave groove 94 consisting of a rectilinear portion 94a extendingtoward the left of the axis L, a circular arc portion 94b whichcontinues to the rectilinear portion 94a, a rectilinear portion 94ctraversing the axis L obliquely, and a rectilinear portion 94d extendingcircumferentially.

Moreover, the outer periphery of the mixed water delivery hole 85 forfaucet also is enclosed by a seal-holding part 96, in which a concavegroove 95 for inserting a seal member is continuously formed, saidconcave groove consisting of a rectilinear portion 95a extending in theright direction of the axis L, a rectilinear portion 95b extendingcircumferentially, a rectilinear portion 95c extending in the leftdirection of the axis L again, a rectilinear portion 95d extendingcircumferentially, a rectilinear portion 95e extending in the leftdirection of the axis L and a rectilinear portion 95f extendingcircumferentially.

The mixed water delivery hole 86 for shower is formed passing through acylindrical boss 87 provided so as to protrude in the radially outwarddirection from the outer surface of the inner housing 80 in order tofacilitate the connection to the shower hose 78.

Further, at both the left and right ends of the inner housing 80 areformed seal holding parts 97 and 98 continuously in the circumferentialdirection, in which concave grooves 99 and 101 for inserting sealmembers to seal both the left and right ends of the inner housing 80 areformed.

These seal holding parts 93, 96, 97 and 98 are preferably formedintegrally with the inner housing 80 on the outer surface of the innerhousing 80.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 7, the concave groove 99 formed at the left endcontinues in the circumferential direction making a detour partly aroundthe cylindrical boss 87, and the concave groove 101 formed at the rightend is a circular one in which an O-ring as a seal member can beinserted.

Seal members are inserted into the concave grooves 94, 95, 99 and 101 ofthe inner housing 80 and, subsequently, the inner housing 80 is insertedinto and fixed to the outer housing 71, so that desired fluid passagesare formed in the regions enclosed by the respective seal members.

Namely, a hot water passage 103 is formed by the seal member 102inserted into the concave groove 94, and the mixed water passage 105 forfaucet is formed by the seal member 104 inserted into the concave groove95. Further, in the region existing outside the seal members 102 and 104and in the space sandwiched by the seal members 106 and 107 which areinserted into the concave grooves 99 and 101, is formed a cold waterpassage 108.

This cold water passage 108 is formed over a wide range in both thedirection of axis L and the circumferential direction of the innerhousing 80, as is apparent from the drawings, and cold water flows intothe cold water passage 108 so that the thermal balance of the mixingdevice 70 is kept better, in a similar way to the afore-mentionedembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9 with a two-dot chain line, when the inner housing 80is inserted into the outer housing 71, the hot water inlet opening 73provided on the outer housing 71 is positioned in the vicinity of beingenclosed by the circular arc portion 94b of the seal member within thehot water passage 103.

Further, the hot water inlet opening 75 is positioned in the vicinity ofthe opposite end spaced at a predetermined distance from the cold waterinlet opening 73 and on the same axis as the cold water inlet opening73.

Moreover, the mixed water outlet opening 77 for faucet is positionedsubstantially at the middle in the axial direction of the mixing device70 and at a position displaced by 90 degrees relative to the positionsof the cold and hot water inlet openings 73 and 75.

Besides this, the cylindrical boss 87 to be connected to the shower hose78 projects in the radially outward direction from the outer housing 71.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the hot water inlet hole 83,cold water inlet hole 84 and mixed water delivery hole 85 for faucet canbe provided at the positions on the outer surface of the inner housing80 away from the positions of the cold water inlet opening 73, hot waterinlet opening 75 and mixed water outlet opening 77 of the outer housing71 determined from a fitting position on the wall and a mode of use ofthe mixing device 70, in addition to the effects due to theafore-mentioned embodiment. This allows the hot water inlet hole 83,cold water inlet hole 84 and mixed water delivery hole 85 for faucet tobe provided at the optimum positions and with the optimum forms anddimensions, corresponding to the construction of the faucet-showerchanging-over valve 91, single lever valve unit 92 or the like insertedinto the inner housing 80.

If the forms of the fluid passages are made long in the axial direction,a wide area of fluid passages can be provided while preventing any hightemperature portion from being produced on the operating side. This iseffective in that the flow rate in the fluid passages is decreased and aturbulent flow and a pressure loss are prevented. Further, as thefaucet-shower changing-over valve 91 and the single lever valve unit 92,widely known ones can be used, which are operated by means of achanging-over valve operating handle 110 and a lever handle 111,respectively.

According to the present embodiment, the hot water supplied from the hotwater supply passage 72 flows through the cold water inlet opening 73,hot water passage 103 and hot water inlet hole 83, and into the hotwater inlet passage 83a formed within the inner housing 80 incommunication with the hot water inlet hole 83, further flowing into thesingle lever valve unit 92.

On the other hand, the cold water supplied from the cold water supplypassage 74 flows into the cold water inlet passage 84a whichcommunicates with the hot water inlet opening 75, cold water passage 108and cold water inlet hole 84, subsequently flowing into the single levervalve unit 92.

Operating the lever handle 111 causes the hot and cold water to be mixedwithin the valve unit 92 in a mixing ratio corresponding to a desiredtemperature of the mixed water, and the mixed water is sent to thefaucet-shower changing-over valve 91 passing through the communicatingpassage 112. Further, operating the operating handle 110 causes themixed water to be discharged from the faucet 16 or the shower hose 78.

In the present embodiment, the seal members having the rectilinearportions extending in the axial direction are used as the seal members102 and 104 forming the hot water passage 103 and the mixed waterpassage 105, however, it is possible to suitably change the forms ofthese seal members 102 and 104 according to the forms of the fluidpassages 103 and 105 to be formed.

Since, in the present embodiment, the seal member 104 forming the mixedwater passage 105 is arranged within a range smaller than half the outercircumference of the inner housing 80, even if a large pressure due to aphenomenon of water hammer is produced within the water passage 108, theinner housing 80 is radially moved in the direction of the mixed waterpassage 105, thereby pressing the seal member 104 strongly against theinner wall surface of the outer housing 71. This prevents the cold waterwithin the cold water passage 108 from leaking to the mixed waterpassage 105.

Moreover, according to the present embodiment, the seal member 102 forforming the hot water passage 103 and the seal member 104 for formingthe mixed water passage 105 are disposed at the positions displaced bysubstantially 90 degrees relative to each other. Accordingly, when theinner housing 80 is inserted into the outer housing 71, the seal members102 and 104 can be held in a precisely positioned condition without anydamage thereto. Namely, in the case where these seal members 102 and 104are disposed at the opposite positions displaced by 180 degrees relativeto each other in a section of intersecting perpendicularly to the axisL, when the inner housing 80 is inserted into the outer housing 71, theseal member 102 for forming the hot water passage is radially pressed bythe seal member 104 for forming the mixed water passage during itsinserting operation, causing its portion to enter into the cold waterinlet opening 73 or the hot water inlet opening 75 of the outer housing71. With this condition, if the inner housing 80 is further axiallymoved within the outer housing 71, there is a danger of damage to theseal member 102.

FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing a fifth embodiment ofthe present invention. A hot and cold water mixing device 120 accordingto the present embodiment is characterized, in the first embodimentshown in FIG. 1, by the fact that a seal holding part 121 is providedalso on the outer periphery of the cold water inlet hole 18, and a sealmember 122 is mounted on the seal-holding part 121 so as to enclose thecold water inlet hole 18. Accordingly, the same component parts as thosein FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference characters, and theexplanation thereof is omitted.

The seal-holding part 121 is formed by the rectilinear portionsextending in the axial and circumferential directions, which enclose thecold water inlet hole 18 provided on the outer surface at one end of aninner housing 123, substantially with a rectangular, and a concavegroove 124 for inserting the seal member is continuously formed alongthe rectilinear portions. The inner housing 123 with the seal member 122being inserted into the concave groove 124 is inserted into and fixed tothe outer housing 31, so that a cold water passage 125 is formed in theinner region enclosed by the seal member 122.

In the present embodiment, the hot water passage 20, cold water passage125 and mixed water passage 30 are formed in the regions enclosed by theseal member 26, 122 and 29. This makes it different from the firstembodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the space 126 formed between the innerhousing 123 and the outer housing 31 except the regions of theabove-mentioned passages is filled with a substance other than water,for example, air, a heat resistant member or the like.

Since primary water is not supplied into the space 126, seal members forpreventing the leakage of water are not needed to be fitted to both endsof the inner housing 123, as shown in FIG. 1.

The present embodiment offers the function and effects which aresubstantially similar to those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1.However, since the cold water passage 125 is formed in the regionenclosed by the seal member 122, it is not possible to flow cold waterover a wide region in the axial and circumferential directions of themixing device to thereby perform an insulation from the high temperaturepart and a regulating action of thermal balance; however, the functionequal to the above can be realized by air or a heat resistant memberfilled in the space 126.

FIG. 12 is an external perspective view showing a modification of theembodiment shown in FIG. 11. In this modification, a seal member 260 forforming the hot water passage, a seal member 222 for forming the coldwater passage and a seal member 290 for forming the mixed water passage30 communicate with each other and are integrally formed. Further, theseal-holding part 240 forming the mixed water passage 30 is of arectangle which is elongated in the axial direction, and also a sealmember 290 mounted on the seal-holding part 204 is rectangular in form.Thus, forming and inserting the seal members is facilitated and,simultaneously, adjustment in the connecting position of a faucet to themixed water passage 30 is facilitated.

FIG. 13 is an external perspective view showing a sixth embodiment ofthe present invention. A hot and cold water mixing device 130 accordingto the present embodiment is different from the afore-mentioned firstembodiment in that the inner housing 131 is provided with a hot waterdelivery hole 132 and a cold water delivery hole 133 instead of themixed water delivery hole. The component parts common to those of thefirst embodiment are designated by the same reference characters, andthe explanation thereof is omitted.

The hot water delivery hole 132 and the cold water delivery hole 133 areprovided at the side of the hot water inlet hole 17 and cold water inlethole 18, respectively, and communicate with each other by way of anopening and closing valve for hot water (not shown) controlled so as tobe closed and opened by means of the hot water handle 13 disposed withinthe inner housing 131, and by way of a opening and closing valve forcold water (not shown) controlled so as to be closed and opened by meansof the cold water handle 12.

Both the hot water delivery hole 132 and the cold water delivery hole133 are enclosed together by a seal holding part 135 having rectilinearportions extending axially. The seal holding part 135 is formed thereonwith a concave groove 135a for inserting a seal member, into which theseal member 136 is continuously inserted.

The inner housing 131 with the seal members 25, 27, 28 and 136 beingmounted thereon is inserted into and fixed to the outer housing 31, sothat a mixed water passage 137 which is also used as a mixing chamber isformed in a region of the space enclosed by the seal member 136.

Moreover, the mixed water outlet hole 32 provided on the outer housing31 is arranged at the position where it communicates with the mixedwater passage 137.

According to the present embodiment, hot water and cold water deliveredfrom the hot water delivery hole 132 and cold water delivery hole 133,respectively, are mixed within the mixed water passage 137, and aredischarged from the mixed water delivery passage 14 passing through themixed water outlet opening 32. On the other hand, the water which hasflowed from the cold water inlet opening 34 fills the cold water passageformed in a region of the space except the hot water passage 20 and themixed water passage 137 over a wide range in the axial andcircumferential directions, thereby allowing the security of the mixingdevice 130 against the scalding and the thermal balance thereof to bekept better.

According to the present embodiment, since the mixed water passage 137is formed by a long dimension in the axial direction, the position ofthe mixed water outlet opening 32 communicating with the mixed waterpassage 137 can be freely selected over a wide range in the axialdirection.

In addition, since the seal member 136 forming the mixed water passage137 is arranged in a range smaller than half the outer circumference ofthe inner housing 131, even if a large pressure due to a phenomenon ofwater hammer is produced within the cold water passage, the innerhousing 131 is radially moved in the direction of the mixed waterpassage 137 to strongly press the seal member 136 against the inner wallsurface of the outer housing 31 and, therefore, there is no leakage ofcold water within the cold water passage into the mixed water passage137.

FIG. 14 is an external perspective view showing a seventh embodiment ofthe present invention. A hot and cold water mixing device 140 accordingto the present embodiment is a modification of the sixth embodimentshown in FIG. 13, and is characterized by the fact that the outerperiphery of the cold water hole 18 of an inner housing 141 is enclosedby a seal holding part 142 and a seal member 143 mounted on the sealholding part 142, in a similar way to the hot water inlet hole 17. Theother component parts common to the sixth embodiment are designated bythe same reference characters, and the explanation thereof is omitted.

In the present embodiment, a cold water passage 144 is formed in aregion of the space enclosed by the seal member 143, and a region 145 ofthe space except a cold water passage 144, hot water passage 20 andmixed water passage 137 is filled with air or a heat resistant member.

Further, since in the present embodiment the cold water passage 144 isenclosed by the seal member 143, there is no need of mounting the sealmembers (for example, O-rings) on the inner housing 141 at both theright and left ends thereof, like the sixth embodiment.

FIGS. 15 to 19 are views showing a eighth embodiment of the presentinvention. In the present embodiment, an inner housing 151 is providedwith a first and second mixed water passages 152 and 153 in addition tothe hot water inlet hole 17 and the cold water inlet hole 18.

The hot water inlet hole 17 is enclosed by a seal holding part 155disposed substantially in the form of a square having a concave groove155a, and the hot water passage 20 is formed within the seal-holdingpart 155. Moreover, the cold water inlet hole 18 communicates with acold water passage 154 (refer to FIG. 18), which is defined and formedby the seal holding parts 22 and 23 with the concave grooves 22a and 23aprovided at both ends of the inner housing 151, a seal holding part 155forming the hot water passage 20 and a seal holding part 157 enclosingthe first mixed water delivery hole 152.

The second mixed water delivery hole 153 is formed on the same axis asthat of the hot water inlet hole 17, and is enclosed by a seal-holdingpart 161 substantially in the form of a square. On this seal-holdingpart 161 is formed with a concave groove 161a along the seal-holdingpart 161.

In the present embodiment, the seal member 157 enclosing the first mixedwater delivery hole 152 is extended so that it further encloses theseal-holding part 161 enclosing the second mixed water delivery hole153, as clearly shown in FIG. 18. Thus, in a region defined by theseal-holding part 157 and the seal holding part 161 is formed a firstmixed water passage 159 communicating with the first mixed waterdelivery hole 152, and in a region enclosed by the seal-holding part 161is formed a second mixed water passage 163 communicating with the secondmixed water delivery hole 153.

On the seal-holding parts 22 and 23 provided at both ends of the innerhousing 151 are mounted a circular seal members 27 and 28 for sealingthe ends using the respective concave grooves 22a and 23a. Also onconcave grooves 155a, 157a and 161a of the afore-mentioned seal members155, 157 and 161 are similarly mounted seal holding parts 156, 158 and162 each having rectilinear portions. These seal members constitute thehot water passage, cold water passage and first and second mixed waterpassages, as the outer housing 171 is fitted onto the inner housing 151,in a similar way to the afore-mentioned embodiment.

In this way, since in the present embodiment the seal-holding part 157and the seal member 158 enclosing the first mixed water delivery hole152 are arranged so that they further enclose the seal-holding part 161and seal member 162 enclosing the second mixed water delivery hole 153,a distance of arrangement between the first and second mixed waterdelivery holes 152 and 153 can be made small, as compared with the casewhere the respective seal-holding parts and seal members are arrangedindependently in a separate relation. This allows the diameter of theinner housing 151 to be made small, whereby the hot and cold watermixing device can be made compact in size.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, the first mixed waterpassage 159 communicates with a faucet 165, and the second mixed waterdelivery hole 153 communicates with a shower hose 166 through a showerelbow 165. The shower elbow 165 is a L-shaped hollow tube, and isprovided at its forward end with a pair of projections 167 extendingradially, as shown in FIG. 20.

The forward end 165a of the shower elbow 165 is inserted into the outerhousing 171 and is removably mounted within the second mixed waterpassage 163. The mounting of the forward end 165a of the shower elbow165 is performed using a mounting bush 168 shown in FIG. 21.

Namely, the mounting bush 168 is of a square which engages in closecontact with the second mixed water passage 163 defined by theseal-holding part 161, and is formed in the center thereof with athrough-hole 168a. The through-hole 168a is formed with acircumferential flange 169 projecting inwardly along the innerperipheral edge thereof, and the circumferential flange 169 is formedwith a pair of cut-out portions 169a having a form and size which allowsthe projections 167 of the forward end 165a of the shower elbow 165 topass through in the axial direction.

As shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and 19, this mounting bush 168 is mounted inclose contact with the interior of the second mixed water passage 163,and after the inner housing 151 with this condition is incorporated intothe outer housing 171, the forward end portion 165a of the shower elbow165 is fitted. Namely, the shower elbow 165 is inserted through thesecond mixed water delivery opening 171a from outside the outer housing171, the forward end thereof 165a is further inserted into the secondmixed water passage 163 by passing the pair of projections 167 throughthe pair of cut-out portions 169a of the mounting bush 168 and,subsequently, the shower elbow 165 is turned to bring the pair ofprojections 167 into contact with the circumferential flange 169,thereby preventing the shower elbow from coming off. In this connection,reference character 165b in FIG. 19 designates an O-ring for seal.

In this way, the present embodiment permits the shower elbow 165 forconnection of a shower hose to be removably fitted in a simple and easyway. Further, positioning the inner housing 151 and the outer housing171 axially is performed by fitting the shower elbow 165, which can beused also as a member for preventing the inner housing 151 from comingoff. Moreover, if after fitting the shower elbow 165, the shower hose166 is connected to the other end thereof, the shower hose 166 comesinto contact with the hot water supply passage 15 and cold water supplypassage (not shown) fitted to the back of the outer housing 171 at theleft and right positions with the shower elbow 165 being sandwiched, tothereby limit turning the shower elbow 165, so that the shower elbow 165can be prevented from coming off the mounting bush 168.

The present embodiment shows an example in which the mounting bush 168is constituted by a member which is separate from the inner housing 151for easy machining; however, the circumferential flange 169 having thecut-out portion 169a provided on the mounting bush 168 may be integrallyformed within the second mixed water passage 163 of the inner housing151.

Further, in the present embodiment, ribs 173 having inclined portionsare connected to the lateral surfaces of the seal holding parts 157 and23 parallel to the axial direction, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 18. Theseribs 173 serve to facilitate an operation of inserting the inner housing151 into the outer housing 171 after the seal members 27, 28, 156, 158and 162 are mounted thereon.

Namely, in the present embodiment, the seal members 156, 158 and 162 arearranged so as to enclose the hot water passage 20 and the first andsecond mixed water passages 159 and 163, and are not arranged atpositions where they are symmetric with respect to the axis on the outersurface of the inner housing 151. Accordingly, as the inner housing 151is inserted into the outer housing 171, the inner housing 151 comes toenter the outer housing 171 with the position of being inclined withrespect to the outer housing 171 due to the elastic forces of the sealmembers 156, 158 and 162. This often causes the end of the seal-holdingpart 157 to come into contact with the inner wall surface of the outerhousing 171, thus making the incorporation of the inner housing 151difficult.

Since in the present embodiment the inclined ribs 173 are connected,parallel to the axial direction, to the vicinity of the position of theseal-holding part 157 and to the lateral side of the seal holding part23, where there are a possibility of coming into contact with the innerwall surface of the outer housing 171, even if the inner housing 151enters the outer housing 171 with the position being inclined relativeto the outer housing 171, the inner housing 151 can be smoothly movedalong the inclined portions of the ribs 173 and be easily incorporatedinto the outer housing 171 without damage to the seal members 27, 28,156, 158 and 162.

In the present embodiment, a projection 175 for preventing the innerhousing 151 from being turned is provided on the outer circumferentialsurface at one end of the inner housing 151. At the end of the outerhousing 171 is formed a cut-out portion (not shown) having a form andsize which engages the projection 175. In addition, this projection 175has a height to such a degree as to protrude outwardly from the outerperipheral surface of the outer housing 171, as shown in FIG. 17, and isformed at both lateral surfaces thereof with grooves 176 in which thecut-out portion of the outer housing 171 can be inserted.

This construction allows the cut-out portion of the outer housing 171 tosecurely engage the projection 175 and, simultaneously, allows thedeformation of the cut-out portion to be prevented.

FIGS. 22 to 31 are views showing a method for assembling the hot andcold water mixing device according to the present invention.

Referring to the views, reference character 201 indicates a cylindricalouter housing, and reference character 202 a cylindrical inner housingto be inserted into the outer housing 201. At both axial ends and theouter periphery of the inner housing 202 are provided partition walls(seal holding parts) 203 in the form of outer flanges and rectilinearseal holding parts (not shown), respectively, and on the outercircumferential surface of these partition walls 203 are provided sealmounting parts 204 in the form of ring grooves. After seal members 205such as O-rings, U-packings, X-packings and the like are mounted on therespective seal-mounting parts 204, they are compressed and deformed sothat the outer surfaces thereof become flush with the outercircumferential surfaces of the partition walls 203, and are frozen withthe compressed and deformed condition.

The inner housing 202 with the seal members 205 being frozen is insertedinto the outer housing 201 for assembly and, thereafter, the sealmembers 205 are thawed.

Insertion of the inner housing 202 into the outer housing 201 forms awater passage 206 in the interior of the inner housing 202 and,simultaneously, a water passage 207 defined by the two partition walls203 at both ends between the outer housing 201 and the inner housing202.

An embodied example of the method for assembling the hot and cold watermixing device according to the present embodiment will be explained withreference to FIGS. 23 to 31.

First, as shown in FIG. 23, the seal members 205 are mounted onto theseal-mounting parts 204 of the inner housing 202 and, subsequently, asshown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the seal members 205 are compressed anddeformed by means of a fastening jig 211.

This fastening jig 211 comprises divided type jig bodies 211a, which arecircumferentially divided into three pieces and which are of a tube-likeshape as a whole, and fastening members 211b for fastening the jigbodies 211a. The seal members 205 are compressed and deformed byfastening the fastening jig 211 until the outer surfaces thereof come tobe flush with the outer surfaces of the seal mounting parts 204, asshown in FIGS. 26 and 27.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 28, the inner housing 202 with thefastening jig 211 being fitted thereto, i.e., with the seal members 205being compressed and deformed, is immersed into liquid nitrogen 212 andis frozen with the seal members 205 being compressed and deformed.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 29, the inner housing 202 is pulled upfrom the liquid nitrogen 212, and the fastening jig 211 is removed. Asshown in FIG. 30, the inner housing 202 with the seal members 205 beingfrozen thereon is then inserted into the outer housing 201.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 31, the frozen seal members 205 arethawed to thereby restore the seal members 205 to the original forms.

Therefore, in inserting the inner housing 202 into the outer housing201, the seal members 205 scarcely come into contact with the outerhousing 201 and are considerably small in its frictional resistances;so, an inserting and assembling operation is easily performed and damageto the seal members 205 can be prevented. Further, there is no defect ofthe seal members 205 coming off the seal mounting parts 204 due to theirfrictional resistances during the assembling operation.

FIGS. 32 and 33 show an example of another assembling method in which acoil-like sheet metal 213 is interposed between jig bodies 211a and theseal members 205.

Namely, in the case where the seal members 205 are directly fastenedwith the jig bodies 211a, projections 214 are often produced on the sealmembers 25 at the divided positions of the jig bodies 211a, as shown inFIG. 34.

However, in the case where the sheet metal 213 is interposed between thejig bodies 211a and the seal members 205, radial movement of the jigbodies 211a causes the sheet metal 213 to increase or decrease indiameter, thereby enabling the above-mentioned protrusions 214 to beprevented from being produced.

FIGS. 35 and 36 further show an example of other assembling method, inwhich the jig bodies 211a are provided on the inner circumferentialsurface thereof with projecting stripes 215 corresponding to the sealmembers 205, so that when the seal members 205 are compressed anddeformed, the outer surfaces of the seal members 205 come to the heightlower than the height of the outer surfaces of the seal mounting parts204.

With this method, the seal members can be completely prevented fromcoming into contact with the outer housing 201 when the inner housing202 is inserted into the outer housing 201.

FIG. 37 shows an example of other assembling method, in which as theseal members 205 are frozen, the inner housing 202 is not immersedwithin the liquid nitrogen 212, but the liquid nitrogen 212 is sprayedonto the inner housing 202.

Also with this method, the seal members 205 can be frozen, in a similarway to the case of immersion, providing similar effects.

FIG. 38 shows an example of further assembling method, in which as theseal members are frozen, the inner housing 202 is not immersed into theliquid nitrogen 212, but the liquid nitrogen 212 is passed throughpassages 216 provided in the jig bodies 211a.

Also with this method, the seal members 205 can be frozen, in a similarway to the case of immersion, providing similar effects.

In the afore-mentioned each embodiment, the case where the outersurfaces of the seal members 205 are compressed and deformed flush withor smaller than the height of the seal mounting parts 204 is explained;however, there is particularly no limitation in a degree of compressionand deformation thereof.

Further, although is not particularly explained in the afore-mentionedeach embodiment, the fastening jig 211 which has been removed from theinner housing 202 after the seal members 205 are frozen, is cooled to aconsiderably low temperature and, therefore, moisture in the air isoften frozen and sticks to the surface of the fastening jig 211 asfrost. For this reason, when the seal members 205 are mounted on a newinner housing and are compressed and deformed, it is preferable to thawand dry the fastening jig 211. Alternatively, it is preferable that anyfrost is prevented from sticking to the fastening jig 211 by cooling theentire room to below the freezing point to make the air therein dry orby using an air curtain system utilizing dried air.

FIGS. 39 to 41 are explanative views showing other assembling methodusing liquid nitrogen. In this embodiment, a sheet metal member 241 madeof stainless steel is used as a fastening jig for compressing anddeforming the seal members 205 mounted on the outer circumferentialportion of the inner housing 202.

Namely, as shown in FIG. 39, the sheet metal member 241 is secured atone end to a plate-like grasping part 242 and the other end thereof iswound so that a hollow cylindrical part 243, in which the inner housing202 can be inserted, is formed.

Subsequently, the inner housing 202 with the seal members 205 beingmounted thereon is inserted into the hollow cylindrical part 243, andthe plate-like grasping part 242 is pulled, thereby causing the hollowcylindrical part 243 at the other end of the sheet metal member 241 tobe reduced in diameter (FIG. 40). Thus, the outer diameter of the sealmember 205 is compressed to a dimension substantially equal to the outerdiameter of the inner housing 202.

With this condition, the seal members 205 are immersed into the liquidnitrogen 212 together with the sheet metal member 241 and are frozen(FIG. 41). This method allows the seal members 205 to be compressed andfrozen by means of a simple device and, simultaneously, allows theamount of use of the liquid nitrogen 212 to be reduced.

FIGS. 42 to 46 are views showing an example of other assembling methodof the hot and cold water mixing device according to the presentinvention.

As shown in the views, in the present embodiment, each one of injectionports 232, 233 communicating with a continuous concave groove 230 onseal-holding parts 227 is drilled through the pipe wall near both endsof the outer housing 225. These injection ports 232 and 233 are drilledon the same line as the connecting positions of a hot water supply tube222 and a cold water supply tube 223, i.e., at the parts which come tothe back surface when the hot and cold water mixing device is attached.Further, the inner housing 226 is provided on the outer surface thereofwith the seal-holding parts 227 having the continuous groove 230;however, no packing is incorporated into the concave groove 230 at thetime of assembly.

In an assembling operation, an operator or an assembling device firstinserts and fits the inner housing 226 into the outer housing 225 andperforms its positioning, as shown in FIG. 43. At this time, since theseal members are not mounted, the operation is performed in aconsiderably easy way. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 44 (an enlargedsectional view of "A" section in FIG. 43), a nozzle 234 of a device forinjecting a liquid seal material is pressed against one 232 of theinjection ports of the outer housing 225, and a heat-setting type liquidseal material 235 (for example, liquid rubber, adhesive or the like) isinjected therein. After the injected liquid seal material 235 prevailsin the whole, as shown in FIG. 45, and reaches the other injection port233, since the concave groove 230 of the seal-holding parts 227 iscontinuous.

After the liquid seal material 235 leaks out from the injected port 233,the hot and cold water mixing device is brought into a constanttemperature oven or the like and heated for a predetermined period oftime. This causes the liquid seal material 235 to set like a rubber, sothat the cold water passages 228 and 229 are securely sealed. Moreover,since the liquid seal material 235 enters into a clearance between theinner surface of the outer housing 225 and the seal-holding parts 227,as shown in FIG. 46, sealing is performed with a greater width comparedwith the conventional solid packing. Accordingly, reliable sealing ispossible without leakage of hot water or cold water due to the waterpressure. As a liquid seal material 235, silicone, which is difficultfor hydrolysis to occur when it comes into contact with hot water, ispreferable.

Industrial Applicability

As explained above, according to the present invention, since at least awater hole, which communicates with a hot water supply passage among twoprimary water passages, and a secondary water hole are enclosed by meansof insulating members which each are partly arranged in the direction ofintersection with the circumferential line of the inner housing, so thatrequired fluid passages are formed within a vacant space between theinner housing and the outer housing, hot water is insulated within apredetermined, for example, narrow region, thereby preventing the innerhousing from reaching a too high temperature, and a heat insulatingmaterial such as water, air or the like can be arranged over a widerange so as to enclose the outer periphery of the inner housing and,simultaneously, such a construction can be simply provided withoutforming any particular passage within the inner housing.

According to the present invention, since a secondary water holecommunicating with a mixed water delivery passage is enclosed by meansof insulating members which each are partly arranged in the direction ofintersection with the circumferential line of the inner housing, theenclosed region of the secondary water hole can be formed greatly in theaxial direction of the inner housing. Accordingly, the positions ofarrangement of a faucet, a hose for shower and the like connected to theenclosed region can be selected with a degree of freedom which is greatin the axial direction.

Further, according to the present invention, since the regions enclosedby the insulating members can be largely formed in the axial directionof the inner housing, adjustment in the offsets of the openings providedon both the inner housing and the outer housing can be performed in arelatively easy manner.

In addition, according to the present invention, changing the place andform of arrangement of the insulating member, the number and form of thewater holes, and the like allows an optimum hot and cold water mixingdevice to be simply constituted according to the application of use andthe situation of use.

We claim:
 1. A hot and cold water mixing device which comprises:an outerhousing having openings which communicate with a hot water supplypassage, a cold water supply passage and a mixed water delivery passage;a hollow inner housing which is inserted into the outer housing with avacant space remaining therebetween and on which two primary water holescommunicating with said hot water supply passage and said cold watersupply passage, respectively, and a secondary water hole communicatingwith said mixed water delivery passage are formed passing through thewall of said hollow inner housing from the outer surface thereof; andinsulating members for forming fluid passages within said vacant spacebetween said outer housing and said inner housing, which enclose atleast one water hole communicating with said hot water supply passageamong said two primary water holes, and said secondary water hole,respectively, and which each are partly arranged in the direction ofintersection with the circumferential line of the inner housing.
 2. Ahot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidwater holes each are enclosed by the insulating member which isnon-circular in form.
 3. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimedin claim 2, wherein said insulating members are of the forms differentin the dimensions at the right and left direction and in the up and downdirection intersecting perpendicularly to each other.
 4. A hot and coldwater mixing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said insulatingmembers each include at least partly a rectilinear portion.
 5. A hot andcold water mixing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said rectilinearportion extends substantially parallel to the axial direction of theinner housing.
 6. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim1, wherein said water holes each are formed in a noncircular shapepassing through the wall.
 7. A hot and cold water mixing device asclaimed in claim 6, wherein said water holes each are of the formdifferent in the dimensions of opening at the right and left directionand in the up and down direction intersecting perpendicularly to eachother.
 8. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 6,wherein said water holes each include at least partly a rectilinearportion.
 9. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 1,wherein said insulating members consist of seal members havingelasticity.
 10. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim9, wherein said respective insulating members are arranged so that oneof the insulating members is disposed at a position displaced from aposition, where it is facing with the other insulating member, in asection intersecting perpendicularly to the axis of the inner housing.11. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid insulating members are mounted on the outer surface of the innerhousing.
 12. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 1,wherein means for controlling the fluid which flows into and out of theinner housing through the respective water holes thereof is providedwithin the inner housing.
 13. A hot and cold water mixing device asclaimed in claim 12, wherein said controlling means is of a cartridgetype construction.
 14. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed inclaim 12, wherein the outer housing is provided with an insertionopening for inserting and disposing the inner housing from the outside.15. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 14, whereinthe insertion opening of the outer housing is used also as acommunicating hole of an operating part for operating a fluidcontrolling means.
 16. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the outer housing is made of a pipe material.
 17. A hotand cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outerhousing consists of a tubular member formed by forging.
 18. A hot andcold water mixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the innerhousing is provided, as water holes, with a hot water inlet hole, a coldwater inlet hole and a mixed water delivery hole.
 19. A hot and coldwater mixing device as claimed in claim 18, wherein said insulatingmembers each comprise a hot water insulating member arranged so as toenclose the hot water inlet hole so that it forms a hot water passage,and a mixed water insulating member arranged so as to enclose the mixedwater delivery hole so that it forms a mixed water passage.
 20. A hotand cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 18, wherein saidinsulating members each comprises a hot water insulating member arrangedso as to enclose the hot water inlet hole so that it forms a hot waterpassage, a cold water insulating member arranged so as to enclose thecold water inlet hole so that it forms a cold water passage, and a mixedwater insulating member arranged so as to enclose the mixed waterdelivery hole so that it forms a mixed water passage.
 21. A hot and coldwater mixing device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the mixed waterdelivery hole comprises first and second mixed water delivery holeswhich are provided independently from each other.
 22. A hot and coldwater mixing device as claimed in claim 21, wherein said hot water inlethole and said first and second mixed water delivery holes each areenclosed by the insulating member.
 23. A hot and cold water mixingdevice as claimed in claim 22, wherein the respective insulating membersenclosing the first and second mixed water delivery holes are arrangedso that one of the insulating members encloses the other insulatingmember.
 24. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 21,wherein the second mixed water passage communicating with the secondmixed water delivery hole is connected to a shower hose through a showerelbow inserted into the outer housing so as to pass through the wallthereof, the forward end of said shower elbow being removably mounted onsaid second mixed water passage.
 25. A hot and cold water mixing deviceas claimed in claim 24, wherein the shower elbow is provided at theforward end thereof with a radially extending projection, and the secondmixed water passage is provided at the circumferential edge thereof witha circumferential flange with which said projection of the shower elbowcomes into a slidable engagement and which is formed with a cut-outportion which allows said projection to pass through in the axialdirection.
 26. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim24, wherein the shower elbow is provided at the forward end thereof witha radially extending projection, and the second mixed water passage isprovided with a bushing having a circumferential flange with which theprojection of said shower elbow comes into a slidable engagement andwhich is formed with a cut-out portion which allows said projection topass through in the axial direction.
 27. A hot and cold water mixingdevice as claimed in claim 24, wherein the second mixed water passage isprovided between the hot water inlet hole and the cold water inlet hole.28. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe inner housing is provided with the hot water inlet hole, cold waterinlet hole, hot water delivery hole and cold water delivery hole.
 29. Ahot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 28, wherein theinsulating members comprise a hot water insulating member arranged so asto enclose the hot water inlet hole so that it forms a hot waterpassage, and a mixed water insulating member arranged so as to enclosethe hot and cold water delivery holes together so that it forms a mixedwater passage.
 30. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed inclaim 28, wherein the insulating members comprise a hot water insulatingmember arranged so as to enclose the hot water inlet hole so that itforms a hot water passage, a cold water insulating member arranged so asto enclose the cold water inlet hole so that it forms a cold waterpassage, and a mixed water insulating member arranged so as to enclosethe hot water delivery hole and the cold water delivery hole together sothat it forms a mixed water passage.
 31. A hot and cold water mixingdevice as claimed in claim 19, wherein the mixed water insulating memberis formed at least integrally with the hot water insulating member. 32.A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 19, whereinsealing members for sealing the vacant space between the inner housingand the outer housing are mounted on both ends of the inner housing. 33.A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 32, wherein thesealing members are formed integrally with at least one of the hot waterinsulating member and the mixed water insulating member.
 34. A hot andcold water mixing device as claimed in claim 32, wherein the sealingmembers are integrally formed with the outer surface of the innerhousing.
 35. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 19,wherein the mixed water insulating member is arranged within a rangesmaller than half the outer circumference of the inner housing.
 36. Ahot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein theinner housing is formed of a synthetic resin material.
 37. A hot andcold water mixing device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the innerhousing is integrally formed, on the outer surface thereof, with holdingparts having concave grooves for mounting the insulating members.
 38. Ahot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 37, wherein theholding parts for mounting the insulating members are provided so as toprotrude from the outer surface of the inner housing, and one or moreribs each having an inclined portion are connected to the lateralsurfaces of the holding parts parallel to the axial direction.
 39. A hotand cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the innerhousing is formed therein with a control means-accommodating part.
 40. Amethod for forming fluid passages of the hot and cold water mixingdevice, which comprises the steps offorming a hollow inner housing withtwo primary water holes communicating with a hot water supply passageand a cold water supply passage, respectively, and a secondary waterhole communicating with a mixed water delivery passage, by passingthrough the wall from the outer surface side; enclosing the water holecommunicating least with the hot water supply passage among said twoprimary water holes and the secondary water hole, using insulatingmembers which each are partly arranged in the direction of intersectionwith the circumferential line of the inner housing; and inserting saidinner housing into the hollow outer housing having the openingscommunicating with the hot water supply passage, cold water supplypassage and mixed water delivery passage, respectively, thereby formingfluid passages within the vacant space between the inner housing and theouter housing.
 41. A method for forming fluid passages as claimed inclaim 40, characterized int that the water holes are enclosed in theform of non-circles by the insulating members to form fluid passages.42. A method for forming fluid passages as claimed in claim 40,characterized in that the water holes are enclosed by the insulatingmembers having rectilinear portions extending substantially parallel tothe axis of the inner housing, to thereby form fluid passages.
 43. Amethod for assembling the hot and cold water mixing device by mountingthe seal members on the seal-mounting parts of the inner housing and,thereafter, inserting the inner housing into the outer housing,characterized in that the seal members mounted on the seal-mountingparts are compressed and deformed so that their outer surfaces come tobe flush with or smaller than the inner circumferential surface of theouter housing, and are frozen with their deformed condition, the innerhousing with the seal members being frozen is inserted into the outerhousing and, thereafter, the seal members are thawed.
 44. A method forassembling the hot and cold water mixing device by mounting the sealmembers on the seal-mounting parts of the inner housing and, thereafter,inserting the inner housing into the outer housing, characterized inthat the seal members mounted on the seal-mounting parts are compressedand deformed so that their outer surfaces come to be flush with orsmaller than the height of the outer circumferential surface of theseal-mounting parts, and are frozen with their deformed condition, theinner housing with the seal members being frozen is inserted into theouter housing and, thereafter, the seal members are thawed.
 45. A methodfor assembling the hot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim43, characterized that the seal members are compressed and deformed by afastening jig and are frozen by liquid nitrogen, and the fastening jigafter the seal members are frozen is removed.
 46. A method forassembling the hot and cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 45,characterized in that the fastening jig comprises jig bodies which aredivided into a plurality of pieces in the circumferential direction andwhich are tubular in form as a whole, and fastening members forfastening said jig bodies, and a coil-like sheet metal which isincreased and decreased in diameter due to radial movement of said jigbodies is interposed between the jig bodies and the seal members.
 47. Amethod for sealing the water passages formed by defining the spacebetween the outer housing and inner housing constituting the hot andcold water mixing device by insulating members provided so as to projecton the outer surface of the inner housing, wherein after said innerhousing is inserted into said outer housing, a liquid seal material isinjected at a position of communicating with a concave groove providedon the holding part of the inner housing for mounting an insulatingmember, into said concave groove from an injection hole for a liquidseal material drilled through the tube wall of said outer housing, andthe liquid seal material is set to thereby perform the seal of saidwater passages.
 48. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed inclaim 20, wherein the mixed water insulating member is formed at leastintegrally with the hot water insulating member.
 49. A hot and coldwater mixing device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the mixed waterinsulating member is formed at least integrally with the hot waterinsulating member.
 50. A hot and cold water mixing device as claimed inclaim 30, wherein the mixed water insulating member is formed at leastintegrally with the hot water insulating member.
 51. A hot and coldwater mixing device as claimed in claim 29, wherein sealing members forsealing the vacant space between the inner housing and the outer housingare mounted on both ends of the inner housing.
 52. A hot and cold watermixing device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the mixed water insulatingmember is arranged within a range smaller than half the outercircumference of the inner housing.
 53. A method for assembling the hotand cold water mixing device as claimed in claim 44, characterized inthat the seal members are compressed and deformed by a fastening jig andare frozen by liquid nitrogen, and the fastening jig after the sealmembers are frozen is removed.